Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx: an 11.6-inch Windows 8 hybrid arriving in December for $600 and up

With a couple exceptions, we hadn't heard much about Lenovo's Windows 8 plans until now. Okay, it teased the IdeaPad Yoga back at CES, and recently unveiled the business-friendly ThinkPad Tablet 2. But surely the company wasn't going to stop there, right? Hardly. Lenovo just announced the IdeaTab Lynx, an 11.6-inch laptop / tablet hybrid aimed at mainstream consumers. Like so many other products with this form factor, it runs a dual-core, Clovertrail-based Atom processor, paired with 2GB of RAM and either 32 or 64GB of solid-state storage, depending on the configuration you choose. Unsurprisingly, the detachable keyboard dock has a built-in 6,800mAh battery of its own, which promises to double the tablet's runtime from eight hours to 16. In this case, though, the machine benefits from Lenovo's keyboard know-how, so as small as the 1.45-pound dock is, it still offers an AccuType layout similar to what you'd find on Lenovo's bigger notebooks.

Detach the tablet from its dock and you have a 1.4-pound tablet that measures 9.45mm thick. That 11.6-inch, 400-nit screen is of IPS caliber, so the viewing angles should be decent if you attempt to use it outdoors or watch movies from an odd angle (say, with the screen dipped forward on an airplane tray). Poke around the device and you'll find micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports, along with a microSD slot for external storage. It also has a 2-megapixel webcam up front for video chatting, though interestingly, there's no camera module on the back side. The dock, meanwhile, adds two full-sized USB 2.0 ports. According to Lenovo, the Lynx will be available in December, starting at $600 for the standalone tablet. (The keyboard dock will be a $150 add-on.) Until then, we've got some early hands-on photos below, along with the usual spate of press shots.

Gallery|17 Photos

Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx hands-on

Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx

Lenovo Premiers Yoga and Debuts Family of Convertible Devices Designed for Windows 8 NEW YORK– October 9, 2012: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced a new family of four convertible devices designed for Windows 8/RT to change the way people use PCs and redefine the future of mobile computing. For consumers, the touch-optimized family includes the IdeaPad Yoga 13, a foremost blend of play and productivity, Yoga 11, a svelte, all day mobile companion, IdeaTab Lynx, a premier dual core Intel® Atom-based™ tablet, and for professionals, the ThinkPad Twist, a business-ready device that puts a new spin on the traditional convertible tablet.

"Our family of Ultrabook™ convertibles addresses the unique needs of consumers, businesses and everyone in between by creating high performance laptop-tablet combinations in new designs and different sizes," said Peter Hortensius, senior vice president, Lenovo, and president, Product Group, Lenovo. "We think these innovative convertibles are the best devices for a groundbreaking touchscreen experience, plus their multi-modes give people even more ways to use their PC."

IdeaPad Yoga 13 Flexes Into Totally Unique Poses The IdeaPad Yoga's revolutionary hinge allows it to uniquely move 360° and fold from laptop to tablet in one simple motion. As one of the world's first multi-mode Ultrabooks, Yoga 13 provides a high level of flexibility between work and play without compromises. Infused with powerful 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors and running Windows 8, Yoga 13 provides laptop-grade performance to get work done all day without slowing down with its super slim 16.9 mm frame and eight hours of battery life.

At the flip of the hinge, Yoga 13 transforms into a media-friendly tablet primed with rich audio-visual features including Dolby® Home Theatre®. Visuals - photos, videos and websites - look stunning on its 13.3-in high definition IPS display, which provides bright background and vivid colors. Users can even gesture to flip through photos and other content with Yoga 13's special Motion Control technology or simply use their fingers on the multi-touch screen.

"The Yoga convertibles are a great example of the commitment Lenovo has made to continued innovation with Windows," said John Case, vice president, Worldwide OEM Marketing, Microsoft Corp. "The commitment is evident in the beautiful hardware designs that exhibit flexibility, mobility and extended battery life; combining that with the new capabilities of Windows 8 these PCs provide an experience that is sure to delight customers."

IdeaPad Yoga 11 Balances Power and Mobility Yoga 13's smaller screen size counterpart, Yoga 11, is the world's slimmest multi-mode PC, measuring just 15.6 mm. Yoga 11's slim design, 11.6-in screen and long 13 hour battery life make it a great convertible for mobility. Equipped with NVIDIA Tegra 3 – the world's only quad-core processor for Windows RT – Yoga 11 lets users watch HD movies, play games, get connected and stay productive with Microsoft Office applications virtually all day long. As an added bonus, both Yoga 13 and 11 can be used in completely new ways: convert them into a Stand1 by flipping the keyboard behind the screen to comfortably watch movies or view pictures up close, or bend them upright like a Tent2 to bring games or video chats to life.

"The IdeaPad Yoga 11 is elegant, thin and light, combining the convenience of a tablet with the capability of a laptop," said Rene Haas, vice president, Notebook Business Unit, NVIDIA. "Powered by the energy-efficient Tegra 3 processor, the Yoga 11 lets you work and stay connected all day long – and leave your laptop charger at home."

IdeaTab Lynx Connects to Digital Life The IdeaTab Lynx is one of the first Windows 8-based tablets with the latest dual core Intel® Atom™ processor. This feather light 11.6-in tablet caters to the mobile individual who wants to combine fun and work: users can interact with a variety of Windows 8 apps via its multi-touch screen when on the go or they can connect it to its keyboard for a full-function PC experience that includes writing documents in Microsoft Word, creating presentations in PowerPoint and building spreadsheets in Excel. With Lynx, users can leave the power plug behind thanks to its incredible 16 hours of battery life (with optional base), and they can enjoy cinema-quality sound with Dolby® Home Theatre® and easily connect to printers, hard drives and other accessories with a full size USB port when attached to the base.

ThinkPad Twist Puts New Spin on Small Business Computing ThinkPad Twist makes it easy to choose one affordable device that can do it all. Use it as a full-performance Ultrabook, and then twist the top to switch to a convertible tablet. The 12.5-in ThinkPad Twist gives professionals the technologies they need for both their business and personal computing. For exceptional business-class productivity, ThinkPad Twist packages up to 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7 processors, up to Windows 8 Pro, optional 3G3, large storage up to 500 GB or 128 GB SSD and the ThinkPad-brand's legendary keyboard and quality and reliability features. Users can work for hours with nearly all-day battery life and tablet-like quick resume from standby. This powerful machine also includes dedicated software tools specifically for small business including Lenovo Solutions for Small Business powered by Intel Small Business Advantage and Lenovo Cloud Storage by SugarSync.

ThinkPad Twist's luminous high definition 350nit IPS display and Dolby® Home Theatre® audio produce a stand out multimedia experience. Whether it's a client video presentation or action-packed movie, simply connect to high definition video with Twist's mini-HDMI or DisplayPort jack and turn up the volume. Like Yoga, Twist can convert into new modes like Stand, a great position for work collaboration via the multi-touch screen.

"Lenovo was one of the first to embrace convertible design coupled with touch interaction in a big way and the Yoga 13 and ThinkPad Twist are both remarkable devices that are sure to wow consumers," said Kirk Skaugen, corporate vice president and general manager, PC Client Group, Intel. "These designs fueled with powerful Intel 3rd generation Core processors will deliver the key attributes of the PC and tablet into a single system-essentially people are getting 'two for one'."

The previously announced ThinkPad Tablet 2, designed for Windows 8 and powered by Intel's next generation CPU technology, will also debut this month alongside the new convertibles. This multi-use tablet lasts over 10 hours on a single charge, weighs in at 1.3 pounds – lighter than its leading tablet competitor - includes an optional digitizer and pen for precision input, offers 3G and 4G4 (US only) wireless for virtually anywhere, anytime connectivity and runs Windows 8 apps and familiar desktop applications. This versatile tablet lets users work the way they want to with multi-finger touch support, pen input or the ability to connect to the optional ThinkPad Tablet 2 keyboard and dock for a PC-like computing experience. The ThinkPad Tablet 2 includes a host of IT manageability, security and corporate-level service and support to help IT managers easily deploy it in their business environments.

Flexible Service and Support Lenovo offers a full suite of services for the new devices, including In-Home Warranty upgrades for service at the owner's home or business, and Accidental Damage Protection on select products to help insure against damage from accidents like drops, spills, electrical surges, or screen malfunctions. The IdeaTab Lynx comes with an optional second year of warranty coverage. A full lineup of Lenovo Services for Small Business backs up ThinkPad Twist. Customers can select from a portfolio of warranty upgrades, Accidental Damage Protection, Keep Your Drive and other protection services valuable to today's small businesses. Additionally, Lenovo Premium Support's expert technicians are available when needed with convenient over the phone or remote session support from the comfort of home.

Pricing and Availability Customers can reserve the IdeaPad Yoga 13 at Best Buy starting Oct. 12. It will be available at Best Buy and www.lenovo.com on Oct 26. MSRP starts at $1,099. The IdeaPad Yoga 11 will be available starting in December. MSRP starts at $799. The IdeaTab Lynx and options keyboard will be available in December. MSRP starts at $599 for the tablet and is $149 for the options keyboard. The ThinkPad Twist will be available starting on Oct. 26 via Staples and other retailers, business partners and www.lenovo.com. MSRP starts at $849. The ThinkPad Tablet 2 will be available starting in November through business partners and www.lenovo.com. Pricing for models starts at $649.